The Department of Public Works and Highways has completed the construction of the P65.71-million flood mitigation project in the Ilog-Hilabangan River in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The DPWH-Western Visayas said in a report Wednesday that the project, undertaken by the Negros Occidental 3rd District Engineering Office, aims to mitigate flood damage and protect various downstream barangays along the river.
District engineer Rodney Gustilo said the structure has been added to the revetment wall previously constructed along the areas of barangays 6, 7, 8, 9, and Talubangi.
“Being the catch basin located in the urban area of the city, the entire city proper of Kabankalan is considered a flood-prone area and is compromised during sudden occurrence of heavy rains and tropical storms,” he added.
Gustilo said that, in the past, such situations would usually pose threats and damage to properties due to the collapse of riverbanks and overflow of water.
RELIEF PROVIDED
“After the completion of the flood mitigation project, a sense of relief was provided to residents as their properties and lives will be protected against natural calamities,” he added.
The structure consists of a 336.7-lineal meter revetment wall with a combined rubble concrete and reinforced concrete revetment wall on a steel sheet pile foundation.
Its construction was funded under the General Appropriation Act for 2020.
The Ilog-Hilabangan River serves as the catch basin of water coming from the mountain ranges of Candoni town connecting through Tabla River in Barangay Magballo, and of water from some portions of Negros Oriental merging through Hilabangan River in Barangay Orong.
DPWH-Western Visayas regional director Lea Delfinado said yesterday that the flood control project plays a big part in the flood mitigation response of Kabankalan City mainly to protect its urban areas.
FOUR BARANGAYS PROTECTED
The lives and properties of about 2,630 households of four barangays situated near the river will be protected, she added.
“Its completion is very timely considering that rainy season is just around the corner. Riverbanks will not be eroded and water overflow will be prevented,” Delfinado said.
Meanwhile, P100 million under the GAA for 2021 has been allocated for the additional 498.50 lineal-meter revetment wall, stretching to the riverbank of Ilog-Hilabangan River in Barangay 6, and leading towards Barangay Talubangi.
The project that is under construction is a commitment of the DPWH to build disaster-resilient structures against major floods and calamities.*PNA
